Pokhara, 1 January | The 21st Lekhnath Festival, a premier promotional event for local culture and products, concluded this Monday with unprecedented success, recording a total business turnover of 112 million rupees over its twelve-day run. Organized by the Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the slogan “Lekhnath’s Culture, Local Product Development, and Prosperity,” the festival exceeded all major targets set by the organizers. According to Yubaraj Bhattarai, the Publicity Coordinator for the event, approximately 335,000 visitors attended the fair, significantly surpassing the initial goal of 250,000 observers. This turnout and the resulting financial transactions have been hailed as a vital boost for the local economy, which has recently faced various structural and social challenges.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, emphasized that such festivals play a crucial role in economic recovery by bridging the gap between producers and consumers. Mayor Acharya acknowledged the low morale among local entrepreneurs following the recent Gen-Z social movements and stressed the need for collective efforts to revitalize the business environment. He further announced plans for the integrated development of the Lekhnath region, including the introduction of water sports at Begnas Lake and the near completion of the Pokhara-Muglin road project, which is expected to drastically reduce the travel time between Pokhara and Lekhnath. The Mayor assured that the metropolitan office remains committed to the equitable development of the region.
The President of the Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Januka Adhikari Parajuli, expressed her gratitude to the local community, stating that the unity of Lekhnath residents is what transformed the event into the “Festival of Festivals.” She highlighted the platform’s success in showcasing diverse products ranging from handicrafts to agricultural produce. The festival concluded with an award ceremony honoring outstanding entrepreneurs and artists. The surplus funds generated from the event are slated for the development of a proposed industrial zone and various social responsibility projects, ensuring that the festival’s impact extends well beyond the twelve days of celebration.
